Summer transfer window broke all-time record – FIFA confirms, with nearly £5b spent

FIFA has revealed the summer transfer window set an all-time record, with 11,000 men’s players moving to new clubs worldwide.

The football governing body announced this on Tuesday, revealing unprecedented activity that resulted in a staggering £4.93 billion in global spending between June 1 and September 2.

This figure is only surpassed by the £5.67 billion spent in 2023, despite fewer player transfers that year.

English clubs dominated the market, spending £1.29 billion on new signings.

Premier League clubs, in particular, showed their financial strength, with even smaller clubs like Brighton, Bournemouth, and newly promoted Ipswich Town investing over £75 million each in their squads.

Brighton made notable additions, including Georginio Rutter for £40 million and Matt O’Riley from Celtic for £25 million.

Bournemouth, after selling Dominic Solanke to Tottenham for £55 million, reinvested £40 million in Porto’s Evanilson.

Ipswich Town bolstered their squad with 12 new players, including Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea for £20 million.

Italy was the second-highest spender with £630 million, followed by France at £532 million, despite their domestic and international television deal uncertainties.

Spain and Germany followed, with spending of £457 million and £436 million, respectively.

Saudi Arabia, which had been a major spender in the previous year, reduced its outlay to £329 million.

The most expensive transfer of the window was Atlético Madrid’s £64 million deal for Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez.